DATE=1/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225562
TITLE=CUBA/EXILES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE
DATELINE=HAVANA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   CUBAN AUTHORITIES ARE RESTRICTING TRAVEL BY CUBAN 
AMERICAN EXILES WHO WANT TO COME TO THE ISLAND DURING POPE JOHN 
PAUL'S VISIT THIS WEEK TO KEEP OUT ENEMIES OF THE COMMUNIST 
GOVERNMENT.   V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTS FROM 
HAVANA.
 
TEXT:  THE HEAD OF THE CUBAN EXILE DEPARTMENT ///DIRECTOR DE 
ASUNTOS DE LOS CUBANOS EN EL EXTERIOR/// OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY,
JOSE CABANAS, SAYS A FEW THOUSAND OVERSEAS CUBANS ARE EXPECTED TO
COME TO THE ISLAND DURING POPE JOHN PAUL'S VISIT, WHICH BEGINS 
WEDNESDAY.
 
HE SAID ABOUT ONE THOUSAND OF THOSE COULD COME FROM THE UNITED 
STATES, WHICH IS HOME TO MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF THE NEARLY ONE 
AND HALF MILLION CUBANS LIVING IN EXILE.
 
MR. CABANAS SAID CUBAN AMERICANS ARE REQUIRED TO SEEK SPECIAL
PERMISSION TO ENTER CUBA, IN ORDER TO KEEP OUT ENEMIES OF THE
COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT LED BY PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO.
 
HE EXPLAINED WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THE APPLICANTS.
 
                ///INSERT CABANAS ENGLISH ACT NO. 1///
 
         FIRST, TO RESPECT THE CUBAN LAW. NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN 
         ANY HOSTILE ACTIVITIES AGAINST CUBA.  AND TO RESPECT THE
         LAW OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY ARE RESIDING.
         
                              ///END ACT///

MR. CABANAS SAYS ONLY A FEW APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN, BUT
HE SAID THE SCRUTINY IS NEEDED FOR SECURITY REASONS.
 
                        ///INSERT CABANAS ENGLISH ACT NO. 2.///
 
         WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE POPE AND WE ARE
         CONTINUOUSLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR 
         POPULATION AND OF COURSE WE TOOK SOME MEASURES FOR THAT.
                                     ///END ACT///
         
         CUBAN AUTHORITIES TOLD AIRLINES EARLIER THIS MONTH  NOT 
         TO FLY IN ANY U-S CITIZENS WHO DO  NOT  HAVE SPECIAL 
         VISAS, SUCH AS THOSE 
         BEING ISSUED TO AMERICAN JOURNALISTS.  (SIGNED).
         
         

NEB/MWD/WDC/PT

20-Jan-98 5:57 PM EST (2257 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.